The Legacy of Pennleah

I completed the "Legacy Map" as I'm calling it. The map contains the "crosshair" moments, plot points, pinch points, the inciting incident, mid-point context shift, and resolution. Whew! It also lists potential scenes, or at least the actions and events I think will take me and the reader to the climactic scene.

I believe I have a climactic scene that will make the audience cheer aloud. Provided, of course, that I'm successful in building up to it.

The protagonist is a 15-year-old girl, but that doesn't mean there won't be action scenes. A couple of knuckle-biters, I hope.

I've created a Shortcut to the Scene template that combines Laura Whitcomb's and Victoria Lynn Schmidt's work sheets. I'm thinking I'll handwrite my scene brainstorming efforts, and based on what I come up with, compose the actual scene on the computer. See if the combination of hand scribing and typing on the keyboard will do the creative trick.

My goal is to feed draft chapters to Emily as completed. I'm hoping the commitment will keep me on track.

Anyway...I think I'm getting closer to having all the elements needed for an enjoyable and marketable story.

As they say...place a__ in chair and WRITE.

Blanket-Free Day

Turnout sheets weren't needed today. Another tease for the lovely spring and summer days ahead. Of course the weekend will be wet...it's the Willamette Valley, after all. But for one day the horses got to roll and graze without their turnouts.

This is the type of scene that makes the barn a sanctuary for so many of us. A quiet, lazy day. The geldings grazing, or dozing, or scratching each other's itches.

More of the same. Phantom is "free grazing" while I put away tack, sweep the aisle, and record our day's ride in my journal. Once my cleanup chores are completed, Phantom will return to his turnout paddock.

I think most of us took a turn outside after schooling in the arena. "Walkabouts" for horse and rider to enjoy the warm, dry weather in anticipation of future trail rides.

*sigh*

Slowing down the world...it's a good thing.

Braids...To Pull or Not to Pull

This photo is copyright protected by Jim Bortvedt.

This is my favorite picture of Kiyara taken in 1992 at the Oregon State Fair back in the "olden days" when the fair still offered a hunter/jumper show. Aside from the fact that is among the first professional photos taken of us, and Kiyara is showing the world that Arabians are sport horses...I get a kick out of the woman shading her eyes from the flash, and the farmer grandpa sitting in the stands with his granddaughter.

All Horse Stuff is debating whether or not to pull her mare's beautiful black mane. I think she can get away with a French braid for dressage clinics and schooling shows; however, since Wa is a thoroughbred I suspect that she would be expected to compete in "peanut braids" at a rated dressage show.

ON THE OTHER HAND...I suggested she try looped or scalloped braids such as those in the above photo. Back in the day I paid an amazing braider to do Kiyara's mane. It took forever, so I did not remove the braids at the end of the day as everyone else did with the peanut braids. The scallop braids worked well over fence (unlike a French braid) and were the talk of the show grounds (primarily because of Chris' phenomenal job).

But...

I'm obviously not a reliable source when it comes to pulling manes.

Novel Shortcuts

I attended Laura Whitcomb's workshop on "Novel Shortcuts"  at last year's Willamette Writers Conference. At the time, she indicated she had a book coming out on the topic. I have been awaiting it's publication ever since. On Monday I gleefully purchased Novel Shortcuts, Ten Techniques That Ensure A Great First Draft. 

As promised, the book provides great ideas for getting the story organized before writing so that, once you apply words to paper or computer, there will be (it's hoped) less editing required to get the novel to the point where it's ready to pitch.

Now I have a whole new approach to Legacy. *sigh* But I think it will work out better in the end...if I ever get to the end!

Okay, so my basic framework for Legacy and most of my other YA fantasies is the Feminine Journey -- the "girlie" version of the Hero's Journey per Joseph Campbell and Chris Vogler. With this in mind, I try to plot the story in accordance with Syd Field's three act structure as applied by Larry Brooks in his Story Architecture from his "Six Core Competencies" workshop at the Willamette Writers Conference. In developing the story I make use of Victoria Schmidt's Book in a Month, the fool-proof system for writing a novel in 30 days.

Now I have Laura Whitcomb's approach to fold into the mix.

In reading her book, I realized that Legacy is a single book, not a series of three. Perhaps in three parts, but probably not. And I have in mind what Laura calls the "pinpoint of the story crosshairs moment." Lynn Schmidt suggests writing down ten essential scenes. Laura Whitcomb suggests writing down the "crosshairs" moments. One overarching story crosshair moment, plus individual crosshair moments to write toward and away from. So I think the two approaches to organization will meld well.

Laura Whitcomb has a "Shortcut to the Scene" that I think will be very helpful. For each scene she creates a single page that includes what needs to happen in the scene (basic actions and internal changes among the characters), ideas for dialogue, and a free-writing section where she scribbles for 10 minutes in a brainstorming session. She highlights the "keepers" in the dialogue and free-writing sections, and uses the one-pager as a guide as she writes the scene. It leaves her enough room for creativity as she writes the scene while it assures that she doesn't get sidetracked or leave out something important.

Anyway...I'll be using Laura Whitcomb's "Novel Shortcuts" as I revisit what I've already drafted.

By the way...Laura is the sister of Cynthia Whitcomb who is the president of Willamette Writers and anaccomplished screenwriter who is now writing plays.

If it sounds like I'm high on the Willamette Writers Conference, I am. It's one of the largest in the country and has a good reputation among agents and editors. http://www.willamettewriters.com/

Improved Ride-itude

Much better ride today. I tried to implement the comments from Sunday's Play Day when I rode Training One. Most of us requested comments instead of scores, since it was to be a fun and casual "competition."

The good news was, Phantom had good impulsion and we made good use of the arena. Our judge (aka Trainer Tracey) indicated that we were a "very capable pair." That's nice to hear after all the work I've been doing on my own.

Suggestions included: bring upper body back more perpendicular, shorten the reins, and to look through the horse's ears and bring my chin up -- don't look to the side (old hunter/jumper habits die hard). 

So today that's what I attempted to do and -- gosh and begorra -- we had a better session. In trying to sit "back" more I also tried to make my shoulder blades touch, which usually helps firm up my midsection. Looking through the horse's ears, I think, additionally aided in firming my torso. Man, I used to get compliments for my "eye" in the hunter ring. *sigh* Change of discipline.  :-) Anyway, I believe my position improved somewhat, because Phantom responded better. He's my report card.

Amazing! Trainers know what they're talking about. ;-)

After near- or genuine record-breaking heat the past few days, we're clouded over and much cooler in the Valley today. The horses are "nekked" -- sans turnout sheets. That's got to feel good to them. However, the rain returns tonight and it's supposed to be showery tomorrow. It's only April. We can expect a few more hot and sunny days as well as more rain. It ain't summer in the Metro area until the Rose Festival is over.

No Wonder

No wonder I couldn't format fonts or add links to my blog entries! I just replaced my five-year-old iMac with a new and improved iMac with a 24" screen and loads more gigawhatchamacallit. I now have a toolbar that never appeared before. Yeeha!

When I got a new digital camera for Christmas and couldn't install the software for the camera, it became obvious that I had to do something about my computer. So I decided to buy a new one with my tax refund. I traded in my old iMac on the new one, which allowed me to get the next model up for about the same price as the lower model plus software. I have to have Office so I can draft my novels in Word.

The new 24" iMac is HUGE! And the keyboard is teeny. No number keypad, which was always in my way anyway. I'm an English Major...I don't do numbers.  :-)

I've been in the process of installing and updating software. Plus getting surprises as I move about my computer and online to find new stuff -- like the toolbar on my blog!

CEC Play Day

I rode Training Level Test One. Phantom did pretty well. His left lead canter was kind of logy, but his right lead canter (historically his problem lead) was energetic. Trainer Tracey's comments were spot on and provided areas for me to work on. My years of riding hunters was a plus and a minus. I went deep into the corners...when riding a jump course one should use every inch of the arena to set up for the next line of fences. However, that look ahead for the next fence is a no-no in the dressage arena. At least Tracey acknowledged how hard it is to break those old habits. Anyway...I'm looking forward applying her suggestions when next I ride.

This is Phantom munching between dressage and trail.

There were four of us in the Ride a $Buck$ class, two western and two dressage. I was eliminated early when my dollar bill slipped out from beneath my knee. Believe me, other than losing a whole dollar, I was not upset. Tamra, Mick and Tracey were put through equestrian boot camp by our team of judges. Tracey was the next to lose her "buck."  All in good fun, Tracey threatened Tamra with a dressage whip to get a "real" trot out of Liberty instead of the western pleasure "plod." Mick was a strong competitor, but Tamra finally won the class.

It was Tamra and Tracey battling it out in the musical "chairs" game. The crew placed parallel poles on the ground to form "stalls" to ride the horses into when the music stopped. It came down to dressage versus western for the final stall. The music stopped and the riders urged their horses nose-to-nose. This time, dressage won out and Tracey took the honors.

AND -- per usual, the food table was generously supplied. There was a fruit plate, but also taco soup, salsa & cream cheese, taco chips aplenty, and two types of brownies. 

The prize table was an interesting mix of items from the Dollar Store. I nabbed a plastic water bottle, a set of bungee cords, and a Snickers bar.

A good time was had by all. Kudos to Linda who came up with the idea and all who made preparations and participated. 

CEC Play Day

We didn't have a horseback Halloween costume party, and our Christmas party was snowed out, and snowed out, and snowed out -- well, you get the picture. So Linda decided we were past due for a fun get together at the barn. With our busy schedules, the day-time folks don't see the evening folks, and the weekday folks don't always see the weekend folks. Thus, we gathered today for a day of fun and horses.

Our fearless ringleader for the day's events was Linda:


We began the day with "Dressage Test of Choice." Trainer Tracey was our judge who provided helpful assessments of our Intro and Training One rides. Everyone received a baggie of horse treats and a coupon good for one Dollar Store gift from the gift table. :-) Dressage was followed by English and Western pleasure and equitation, and walk-trot. Tamra and Liberty warmed up again after dressage:


We then moved outside for our trail classes, one ridden and one in hand. Mick takes Bay through his paces under the watchful eye of judge Mikyla and his competition:


Dressage trail, anyone? Trainer Tracey backs Chynna through the L. Beats passage and two tempes, says Chynna!


The Peanut Gallery watches the trail competition:


Owner Susan oversees the trail-in-hand course:


Gwen begins the in-hand trail course with Barney:


Char takes Pugsley through the course:


The Trail-in-hand wasn't just for horses! Connor and Sandy show them how it's done canine-wise:


Christopher and kira provide tough competition:


And yes, the paparazzi showed up when news got out about our Play Day and the great weather: